Second Growth Sauternes estate on Haut Barsac's highest clay limestone plateau, making wines led by Sémillon through selective hand harvests.
The producer
Château Doisy-Védrines is a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Official Classification, set on the highest clay limestone plateau in Haut Barsac. Its wine is led by Sémillon, with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle completing the blend. Noble rot concentrates the grapes for sweet wine, while acidity keeps the profile balanced. The estate's wines are among the richest and most full bodied in Barsac.
Known for
Sémillon led Barsac sweet wines
Notable facts
Château Doisy-Védrines is a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Official Classification.
The estate sits on the highest clay limestone plateau in Haut Barsac.
The vines average 30 years old.
The grapes are harvested by hand in multiple selective passes to gather noble rot.
The story
The 2013 Barrel Passage
In 2013, Château Doisy-Védrines fermented its wine in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for about one week. The must then moved to 100% new oak barrels, where the wine remained for 18 to 20 months. The finished vintage combined an effective concentration of fruit and honeyed sweetness with rapier acidity and a light touch. Stainless steel gives a neutral fermentation vessel, while new oak brings oxygen and can add texture and spice during maturation. The 2013 wine moved from a short fermentation to a long barrel ageing.
From the atlas
Château Doisy-Védrines
Classified Second Growth in Sauternes, on Haut Barsac's highest clay limestone plateau, with wines led by Sémillon and made from selective hand harvests.
At A Glance
Fact
Detail
Classification
Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Official Classification, Sauternes-Barsac category
Appellation
Sauternes
Commune
Haut Barsac
Grapes
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
Main wine
Château Doisy-Védrines
The Producer
Pickers return to Château Doisy-Védrines six to eight times during the harvest, taking only bunches affected by noble rot at the right stage. Noble rot removes water from ripe grapes and concentrates sugar and flavour, so successive passes separate the fruit ready for sweet wine from the rest.
Château Doisy-Védrines holds Second Growth status in the 1855 Bordeaux Official Classification. Its wines are among the richest and most full bodied in Barsac and require a minimum of five years of bottle aging.
Place
The estate occupies the highest clay limestone plateau in the Haut Barsac commune, within the Sauternes appellation. Its ground combines limestone, sand and clay with iron soils.
Sauternes names the sweet wine appellation, while Haut Barsac locates the estate on its highest hilltop. Noble rot concentrates sugar in the grape, and acidity keeps the finished wine balanced.
Wines
Château Doisy-Védrines is the estate's principal wine. The blend is 80% Sémillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle, giving Sémillon the largest role in the wine's sweetness and body.
The 2004 vintage carries honeyed pear, orange citrus and cake spice, with acidity balancing the fruitiness. Young Château Doisy-Védrines wines are balanced and work well as aperitif wines.
Final Word
Château Doisy-Védrines is a classified Sauternes estate on Haut Barsac's highest clay limestone plateau. Sémillon leads its sweet wines, gathered by hand in selective passes and made for bottle age.